Kincardine Baptist Church

Clergy Care

The church is facing a crisis with respect to Clergy burn-out / stress related illness and gifted people dropping out of ministry altogether. Consider these statistics taken from a recent survey from the Fuller Institute of Church Growth:

  • 80% of pastors surveyed felt their ministry affected their family negatively
  • 75% reported a serious stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry
  • 90% felt inadequately trained to cope with job demands
  • 70% had a lower self image than when they started in ministry
  • 40% had a serious conflict with a parishioner once a month
  • 50% had considered leaving the ministry within the past three months
  • 70% had no one they considered to be a close friend

It is the challenge for every Christian to hear the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 anew:

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

Ideas for Encouraging Your Pastor Throughout the Year   

  1. Pray for them DAILY!
  2. Take the family to lunch after church.
  3. Teach your pastor a hobby.
  4. Baby sit their children so they can go on a date!
  5. Ask them: "How can I help you?"
  6. Don't say negative things about them around your children or others.
  7. Take their family on vacation with you.
  8. Mow their lawn or shovel their walk.
  9. Keep your expectations of their children in check.
  10. Protect your pastor's privacy.
  11. Let them know when you have received a spiritual insight as a result of their teaching.
  12. Use your talents and gifts in the church.
  13. Be ready to meet needs in their life wherever you see them.

Your Church's Responsibility to Care for Its Pastor

  1. Be sure the pastor takes one day off per week.
  2. Salary should be flexible and open to adjustment based on the real needs of the pastoral family.
  3. Future needs should be provided. Review all retirement and life insurance annually.
  4. Adequately provide the pastor's health care.
  5. Be sure the pastor takes a vacation.
  6. Provide for continuing education, such as seminars or college and seminary work.
  7. Remember the pastoral family's birthdays and anniversaries.
  8. Be alert for signs of stress and fatigue. Take care to correct problems when you see them.
  9. Avoid the words: "We've never done it that way before."

(Taken from Under His Wings Ministries)

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